When the Spirit came down from heaven and filled those who had believed in Christ, they spoke in all languages; and this was a sign at that time of having received the Holy Spirit, if anyone spoke in the languages of all. Is the Holy Spirit not given to the faithful now? Far be it from us to believe this, otherwise we would have no hope. And they certainly confess that the Holy Spirit is given to the faithful; and we say this, we believe this, we most especially and solely acknowledge that it happens in the Catholic Church. But if they are Catholics, the Holy Spirit is given there; if we are Catholics, the Holy Spirit is given here; let us not now inquire what difference there is, who are Catholics; it is evident that the Holy Spirit is given. Why do those who receive the Holy Spirit now not speak in all languages, unless because it was then prefigured in a few what would later be shown in all? For what did the Holy Spirit predict, stirring the hearts of those whom he had then filled, and teaching them all languages? Scarcely does a man learn two or three, either from teachers or from regions in which he stays through some familiarity; very rarely three or four languages. They spoke in all languages, who were filled by the Holy Spirit; and truly they spoke at once, not gradually learning. What then did the Spirit show at that time? Tell me, why does he not do this now, unless because he was doing something symbolically? What did he signify, if not that the Gospel would be in all languages in the future? I dare to say, even now the Church speaks in all languages; for in all languages the Gospel proclaims; and what I was saying of members, I also say of languages. And just as the eye says: The foot walks for me, so also the foot says: The eye sees for me; thus I say too: My tongue is Greek, my tongue is Hebrew, my tongue is Syrian; for one faith holds all, one bond of charity includes all. That which was demonstrated by the Lord, was foretold beforehand by the Prophets: Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Behold how far the Church has grown, which is called Catholic by all. And see because all languages have gone through all lands: There are no languages nor speeches in which their voices are not heard.
The Church spread everywhere calls to all, that they may return and be grafted in.
Therefore, this Church I hold, but you do not; if therefore you are cut off, acknowledge from where you are cut off. Return, and be grafted in, lest you wither and be cast into the fire. The Prophets speak, the Apostles speak, the Lord speaks about the Church spread throughout the whole world: against you all these speak judgment. From the proconsul to the imperial judgement: from the Gospel, where? Perhaps to Donatus? Will Donatus judge against Christ, or does Christ judge Donatus? What will Donatus say to you? I preached my Christ from Africa. What will he say? Perhaps: I opposed myself for Christ, and I succeeded Christ? This remains for him to say, because he dared to cut men off from the body, because he succeeded Christ. Behold the judgment of Christ, behold the Gospels. Through all nations, he says, beginning from Jerusalem. It began from Jerusalem: there the Holy Spirit came; there were the Apostles, when it came upon them; from there the Gospel began to be preached, from there to be spread through all nations, from there afterward it came to Africa. Where it came afterward, did it abandon them? By no means did it abandon, if they do not wish it. For we African too; certainly the Gospel, which came to Africa, remains here in catholic Africans, just as it remains in all nations. For there are heretics through all nations, some there, some here; and unknown Africans are not those who are in those nations. They are cut off from the vine. For the Catholic knows all; they themselves do not know. For indeed the vine, from which the branches are cut off, knows all the branches, both those that remain in it, and those that are cut off from it. For indeed the Catholic Church is spread everywhere. Those branches, where they are cut off, there they remained; they could not come to other parts and other parts. But this, spread everywhere, holds its own everywhere, mourns the cut off everywhere; it cries out to all, that they should return and be grafted in. Its cry is not heard, but yet the breasts of charity do not cease to flow with exhortation. It is solicitous for the cut off; it cries out in Africa to the Donatists, it cries out in the East against the Arians, against the Photinians, against others and others. For as it is spread everywhere, it finds everywhere against whom to cry out; for they were in it, and they are cut off from it. The branches began to be unfruitful, and they are cut off; if they do not remain in unbelief, they will be grafted in again. Hear these things, brothers, with fear, lest you become proud; with charity, so that you may also pray for them. Turned to the Lord.